Toppers Wallow

The Blakes awoke quite refreshed as the birds sang the morning chorus; as they showered and dressed Draco reminded Harry of the special service to come. Encouraged by our pair groups of DS Members went round and woke-up the fifth-years, cajoling them into breakfast. There was less resistance to attending church than there had been to going to the dance.



Harry overheard a remark: ‘I wasn’t sure about the dance, but it was cool. Maybe church will be also.’ Smiling, he conveyed these thoughts to Draco. The bells were late starting the call to service. A group of Arithmancy students listened avidly as Billy told them about the numerical base of change ringing. Once inside the church and after the first hymn John stood up and gave the notices.



“They are not,” he explained, “in the normal place as it would disrupt the special order of service. We started later, so that we could observe the two minutes silence at eleven o’clock, in tune with the rest of the nation.”



The service had a particular thank-you theme to begin with, remembering with gratitude all those who had bequeathed peace to the village and nation. Before the offertory procession came the main difference. The All Saints hymn was sung as everyone moved outside into the square. Once everyone was settled surrounding the war memorial, John continued:



“We remember those who gave their lives that we might live in peace.”



“We remember those who stood for peace and were martyred for it.” Samantha followed on with a list of martyred saints; placing a wreath at the bottom of the war memorial.



“We remember those who died in the two world Wars.” Mr Foley read the names on the memorial; depositing another wreath.



“We remember those who died more recently defending innocence and justice.” Richard added more names from the villagers’ recent history; putting his wreath alongside the others.



“We remember those who fought for justice and right living.” Hamish recited a few names including Gornuk. As he stepped forward with his wreath the memorial changed. There were a group of goblin warriors looking heroic and defending a flag on which ‘justice’ and ‘right living’ were emblazoned.



“We remember those who served their fellows unto death.” Dorothy’s list included Dobby; then she walked forward and the memorial changed shape to a hospital group of elves.



“We remember our colleagues who so recently were killed fighting an evil which threatened the whole world: Alastor Moody, Fred Weasley, Nymphadora Tonks, Colin Creevey, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape. They died that we might have true peace.” Draco came forward with his wreath and the Potter family group showed. Round the base the names Draco had recited were added to those of Lilly and James Potter.



John Continued: “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.”



Then Billy spoke: “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”



“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM,” affirmed the congregation.



The clock struck eleven and Peter put his trumpet to his lips sounding ‘Last Post’.



Then Silence.



Two minutes later Peter sounded ‘Reveille’



Quietly the congregation moved back into the church. Once inside, the offertory hymn was started. ‘Fight the good fight with all thy might’ the congregation sang and the service followed its usual, if slightly later, normal pattern.



When Draco and Harry came out of church, they found most of the fifth-years and a number of DS Members standing round the memorial in silence, conjuring flowers and laying them beside the wreaths. One of them looked up.



“I hope you don’t mind professors, but we are remembering others who lost their lives when that nasty being attacked innocent witches and wizards throughout magicdom.”



“I think that is entirely appropriate, Madeline.” Harry encouraged. “We just put the ones on the list who died in the battle of Hogwarts. By all means add to the list.”



“Do you do this every week?”



John had wandered over. “This is one special yearly service, My Dear. However other groups come at other times, when they commemorate happenings which have a particular significance to them.”



“May we come to another service, Professors?”



“You’re most welcome to join the other students and DS Members who come each Sunday, although we start a little earlier most times,” replied Draco.



John turned to Harry. “Thank you for those marvellous illusions; they added an extra depth to the service.”



“Sorry John, but we didn’t do it. Somehow the memorial is magically charged, when magical humans approach, there is this statue of Harry’s family,” Draco replied. “You can see it when the students place flowers. The other two reacted to Hamish, a goblin, and Dorothy who is an elf. Those two transformations surprised us, as well. I wonder if it would alter its appearance if a centaur or dragon came near it. Mmm?”



“Perhaps that experiment would really send the villagers up the wall. Come to think of it, it stretches my acceptance level to its limits,” replied John.



“Next time you come through the portal to Hogwarts, John. Remind me to introduce you to Firenze one of our Divination professors, he’s a centaur,” said Draco. “Smile sweetly at Harry and he’ll take you to see Orcas. It’s more difficult talking to her as she only speaks Parseltongue, Harry can translate for you. When they have a conversation I mind-meld with Harry, it’s quicker than him translating everything.”



“I take it that this lady you speak of is a dragon?” John looked perplexed.



“Yes! She’s enormous. Four of us rode on her back once, when the evil ones struck at the centaur home herd and we went to defend them. We had our mirror defences up, so we were rather like a silver flying tank breathing fire and hexes,” replied Harry.



“Erm … Maybe I’ll duck that one … Talking horses and flying reptiles … Erm … I think this is one of your splendid jokes … Is it?” John had a slight smile on his face, hoping he could share the joke.



“No. We are deadly serious, John,” said Draco. “In our world many of the mythological beings exist, albeit in small numbers. That’s why we had to protect the centaur herd. Dragons are slightly more numerous; Norway and Sweden have ridgebacks and short-snouts, the Balkans have horntails and longhorns. Each continent has some. Wales has a few common greens and the very rare reds. I believe the Hebrides still have some blacks somewhere. I think Orcas is a black, ‘arasdhu’ is the Gaelic. Hey Harry, is our Blake/ Duindhu heritage anything to do with Orcas being a black.”



“Don’t forget the ‘Draigdu’ who guarded the temple here before Christianity came along. Is that the Parseltongue heritage, d’you think? If so, why can’t you speak it?” asked Harry.



“Because you have the most connections?” posited Draco.



Harry saw John looking puzzled, so over pre luncheon sherries the Blakes told John about the search Francis was conducting and the various name changes he had unearthed.



“Well now, Dear Boys, I think I’ll order a rummage in some of the old parish documents. The county muniment department has them on micro fiche and, as parish priest; I can demand a search be taken, free of charge. I’ll have a chat with Francis first and get a list of names. That sounds very interesting, my lord.” John gave Harry a mocking bow. “I wonder does ‘Lord’ come in front of ‘Mage’ or after it. Mmm … My Lord Mage has possibilities … Mage-Lord sounds vaguely like Star-wars … I’m going to enjoy this … That is if the parishioners aren’t too demanding.”



“While you are looking, keep in mind the mill and leat serving it. That’s what started the whole thing off,” suggested Harry.



“I’ll list any millers; that should be relatively easy to find from the domicile columns. I wonder if my writ includes the manorial court rolls? It’s worth a try.”



The fifth-years were in a solemn mood when the entered the functions room, slowly, throughout the meal, they thawed into their usual happy and slightly unruly mob. Having had two unusual Muggle experiences, they were game for anything Hamish, Dean and Seamus suggested. Billy’s mathematical group were soon up to their ears working out quantities for a cement pour that afternoon, whilst Dean had a group making the cement magically and Seamus’s people prepared the trenches to receive it. Between the post-practical swim and dinner a small group of fifth-years headed by Madeline came to see Harry and Draco.



“Professors; there’s a group of us who have free periods on Wednesday afternoons. We were wondering if it would be all right to ask your vicar to come and talk to us. We’ve seen how your moral outlooks have affected what you do and say and would like to debate with him, so we can develop our ethics.”



“Have you asked John yet?” queried Harry.



“We felt that we should ask you first,” Madeline replied.



“Are you hinting that we should ask him for you?” Harry’s eyes were piercing.



“Not really, Professors; although your support would be welcome; we were confused about him being a Muggle, albeit a tingly one, and the period being inside normal school hours.”



“Do you see this as a schoolroom environment, a tutorial element or some sort of discussion group?” asked Draco.



“We hadn’t got that far; some sort of discussion group possibly?” Madeline replied.



“I think we could call it a group tutorial; in the same vein that Draco and I hold for some of our other students. How about using our lounge area, here or at the Hogwarts apartment?” suggested Harry.



“Could we? That’d be great.” The others in the party looked pleased.



“You have our permission to ask John and offer either of the rooms for him to choose. You know where the vicarage is, don’t you? Go there after dinner and ask him,” said Draco.



“THANKS PROFESSORS” was the group reply.



“I think I’ll just go and see Minerva, just to make sure we’ve not overstepped the mark.”



“Okay Draco, I’ll hold the fort here. Don’t be late; remember it’s your story tonight.”



Only some of the DS were staying for the meal, so the patio was not unduly overcrowded. By the time Harry had everyone organised Draco had returned with a big smile on his face. Harry had no need to ask; he knew that Minerva was pleased with the idea, via the H&D mental link.



In the relaxed common room atmosphere, the small deputation was not missed. Like Draco they came back with smiles on their faces. Harry’s little voice felt gleeful at the decision, too. Draco told a suitably updated story plus Harry’s gruesome illusions; chocolate time over; everyone retired to bed.



Lying hugging on the bed Draco said: “Minerva said she was hoping to get John involved on ethics, but had wondered how to do it.”



“Madeline says that John would like to use our room at Hogwarts,” countered Harry.



“I’m off the first period; I’ll bed them in and leave John to get on with it. I’ll be in my study, just in case, but I doubt there’ll be any need, this lot are too serious. Maybe we missed out; defeating Voldie at any price clouded our judgements. Perhaps I would have been encouraged to stand up to Father earlier,” observed Draco.



“Yes, well … You chose the light, no use agonising over what might have been … What’s now is important.” Harry sealed the statement with a kiss and soon two cuddling partners were fast asleep in each other’s arms.



§§§§§



On Monday after dinner, the Order Members were called to a meeting at Grimmauld Place; more an updating meeting than anything special. Draco was welcomed as this was his first meeting. And discussion took place about finding and entering Malfoy Manor; not that Draco was much help as he could no longer call-up the entrance. He did, however regale them with various childish escapades of escape and re-entry, which gave some hope, once the manor was found.



After the meeting Harry and Draco confronted the shrieking portrait.



“Walburga! Be quiet!” Harry shot a silencing charm at the portrait. “We want you to listen for a few minutes.”



The portrait glared at the two Blakes.



“Our legal adviser has been researching the Black family tree and has gone back as far as Draigdu, the keeper of the temple at Godric’s Hollow in about 150 BCE. You are aware that now Sirius is dead the last of the Black male line is no more. The head of family passes to the relative with the most connections to the family via the female line. Now Draco, my partner has nineteen connections, eighteen of them via his mother.”



“But Harry here,” Draco continued, “has forty three; so as a partnership we have sixty-two. The next nearest, a cousin in Australia has ten. So you see, Auntie Walburga, your beloved son Sirius was right in handing over the Black inheritance to Harry as the rightful heir. If I ask the de facto head of the Black household to lift the silence charm, will you behave?”



Walburga’s eyes had steadily grown wider as the Blakes told their story. With a worried look she nodded her head in assent. Harry lifted the charm.



“It seems, Auntie, that my mother also had Black blood in her, somewhat diluted, but once my parents united, I bred true, and one of the most powerful wizards, to boot. So you should be proud of that, and not shout about my lack of ancestry. We also found out, from the researches, that the Black family name was only perpetrated by some of the incoming males changing their surnames. I think your true family name should be Arthur. That little bit of jiggery-pokey took place in Georgian times, we are told.”



“Yes, my lord, it is true. Walburga made a curtsy. “What was also kept hidden, which the true heir should know, is that there was another strand of the Black family.”



“Could that be the Blakes?” Draco asked.



“Yes my lord. I see you have been well informed. However I still do object to Mudbloods entering this house.”



“As Head of House Black, I understand you must obey me in all things. Am I correct?” asked Harry.



“Yes my lord, that is so.”



“I appreciate your concern over blood purity, but as an Arthur by marriage, yourself. Perhaps that mixing of blood is not as pure as you would like it to be?” suggested Draco.



“Yes my lord, that is true also. My partner, your great-uncle, always insisted that we uphold the great family traditions, and that was what I hoped I was doing.”



“Was it he that used the usurping French of ‘Toujours Pur’ instead of ‘Semper Intiger’?”



“No my lord. That was carried out when the Arthurs took over.”



“So a reversion to the Latin would not offend you?” asked Harry



“No my lord, it would greatly please me, integrity has a greater aristocracy than purity.”



“That integrity must include the House Blake, which was always on the side of the light, of which Rosmerta Nigrus was a shining example. Are you prepared to support the House Black stance for the light?”



“Yes my lord, I will follow the lead of the Head of House Black, it is my duty.”



“Do you have another portrait anywhere?”



“Yes my lord; it is in the cellars. I don’t visit it, there is nothing to see.”



“What cellars are these?”



“The ones that only the Head and his consort may know about; entered from behind my portrait.”



“Will you allow Elder Kreacher in there?”



“If my lord so wishes, yes.”



“I commend you on keeping a watch on the entrants to this house, and would ask that, instead of screaming at them, as heretofore pertained. You would go to your other portrait and quietly inform either of us of any intruders or disturbances from the dark ones. To that end we will install your other portrait in our sitting room at Hogwarts. Agreed?”



“Oh yes, my lord. Your house-elf Dorothy and her team have brightened up this house, but only one vista does get boring after a time. To be part of a professorial entourage of portraits in Hogwarts would be an honour indeed. Of course I agree, and that, right gladly.”



“Kreacher?”



Pop: “Yes Master Harry?”



“Auntie Walburga has a portrait in the secret cellars. You have my permission to go there and bring it out. Make sure it is carefully cleaned and then hang it in our sitting room where Auntie can see the other portraits and talk to them, especially Uncle Travis Duindhu.”



“My lord must be very well informed; we were almost betrothed before dear Orion stepped in instead. It was all arranged by the family head, as usual, we had no choice in the matter; not that he was a bad husband really. Still, I rather fancied being the lady of a Scottish estate. Ah well!”



The portrait opened for Kreacher to enter and Auntie curtsied as the two Heads disappeared down the passageway. They had a discussion with some of the Order Members, asking that Auntie’s curtains be kept open, and explaining the reasons.



Apparating to Albus-Severus they were surprised to see Auntie beaming at them from a newly hung portrait. In full light, Draco realised that she had a handsome dignity, far removed from the screaming harridan in the stark corridor. Harry agreed with that thought.



Retiring on time, they indulged in a symphony of squeaks, lying panting in each other’s arms, after their exertions, before falling into contended sleep.